Syrian Information Minister: Coalition delegation should have condemned Maan massacre

Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi said that the coalition delegation should have condemned, out of patriotic and moral duty, the massacre in Maan, which claimed the life of Syrian citizens including women , children, elderly and disabled people.

In statements to journalists in Geneva, al-Zoubi said that the session held between the Syrian Arab Republic delegation and UN Envoy to Syria Lakdar Brahimi was a consultative session, during which the Syrian official delegation submitted a draft statement for condemning the Maan massacre in Hama countryside, requesting that Brahmi, the international community and the UN condemn this crime.

“It’s shameful and disgraceful that the coalition delegation would come to Geneva while remaining captive of terms and positions characterized by political immaturity,” the Minister said, stressing that every incident or massacre that took place in Syria since the events began are documented, and that the coalition delegation and those who share their opinions know full well who committed them.

He said that if the other side doesn’t have the guts to name who is committing these crimes, then the Syrian official delegation has the guts, noting that the number of victims in Maan keeps rising, and that at least four of the victims were people with disabilities.

Al-Zoubi said that the coalition’s talk of “individual mistakes” or “mistakes by other groups” is incorrect, unacceptable, ridiculous, banal and underhanded, and that such things cannot be said about a massacre in which so many civilians were murdered, saying the least the coalition and others could have done was to pay respect to the victims who are part of the Syrian people instead of talking about mistakes or transgressions.

On accusations that the Syrian government was the one who attacked the UN mission in Homs, al-Zoubi said that the UN has audiovisual recordings of armed groups within Homs old city in which they declare that will not allow anyone to enter or leave the city, asserting that the Syrian government did not shoot at anyone, and that what happened among armed groups has nothing to do with the Syrian state or its armed forces.

He stressed that the priority today should be discussing the Maan massacre, as this issue is part of discussing counterterrorism, affirming that Syria is committed to its opinion and policy on the reasons for coming to Geneva and how the first Geneva communiqué should be discussed, adding “we’re not afraid of discussing any item in it without exception, but according to logic, priorities and the order it came in, and any talk to the contrary leads nowhere.”

The Minister said that the Syrian official delegation will remain in Geneva for the agreed-upon duration, asserting that the delegation is still open and has the same mentality, flexibility and seriousness, with Syria’s higher national interests governing its members’ behavior.

“We will not withdraw, and we will not be provoked,” al-Zoubi said, stressing that no item or article in the Geneva communiqué has any meaning as long as terrorism is shedding Syrian blood, and that everyone must understand this.

He stressed that the countries supporting, arming, and harboring terrorists and facilitating their entry into Syria must cease these actions, as any political process would be meaningless when these countries continue trying to dismantle the Syrian state.

Al-Zoubi said that the Syrian official delegation is authorized to discuss, but not to approve results before referring to the Syrian leadership and people and holding a referendum over them, reiterating that the delegation isn’t the least bit timid about discussing a transitional government as some people are trying to imply, but discussions should begin by rejecting violence and combating terrorism before reaching this topic.

He said that all sides must understand that the issue of terrorism is a priority for the Syrian Arab Republic, and that terrorism must be stopped in all its forms along with the countries that support them, adding “the coalition delegation is worried, afraid and maybe terrified of discussing the issue of terrorism, which is why they sling accusations at the Syrian government.”

The Minister pointed out that the UN has full knowledge of the humanitarian aid issue and the scale of efforts exerted by the Syrian government to provide food and relief needs to all areas without exception, even areas where terrorists use civilians as human shields like in Homs old city.

“We don’t care about what the coalition delegation says, but delivering aid to Homs has nothing to do with Geneva or its preparations, as this issue was part of an existing timetable between the UN and the Syrian government,” he said.

Al-Zoubi said the attention paid to the movements of Syrian media is due to it being true, serious, honest and creative media since the beginning of the Geneva conference, showing true professionalism.

He asserted that the official delegation did not receive any warning from the UN regarding Syrian mass media, and all rumors about this is mere propaganda prompted by the other side’s failure despite its massive media campaigns and rallying, noting that on the penultimate day of the first round of talks, the other side received during a meeting stern rebukes from the Americans for their failure on the media level, which is why they are now trying to compensate by raising the level of discourse and media clamor.

On whether Tuesday’s session will be consultative or joint, the Minister said that this is unimportant as this the important thing is reaching common ground, asserting that the Syrian official delegation insists on moving forward and staying in Geneva to convince others of the true priorities.